Albanian opposition boycotts Parliament as part of protests for free elections

Following a major protest which gathered thousands of people against Albania's government on 18 February 2017, the country's opposition decided to erect a big tent in the main boulevard of the capital city vowing not to vacate it until the prime minister resigned. The opposition demanded a technocrat government to set the stage for free elections, in the run-up to the general election scheduled for June 2017.

On 22 February, the opposition leader announced a boycott of the parliament, defying an appeal from the European Union not to disrupt parliamentary approval of essential judicial reforms to start accession talks.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 23.02.17: Albanian opposition to boycott parliament, defying EU appeal http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/albanian-opposition-to-boycott-parliament-defying-eu-appeal/

Balkan Insight, 18.02.17: Albanian Opposition Calls Citizens to Anti-Government Rallies http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albanian-opposition-calls-citizens-to-stand-out-against-gov-02-17-2017

Balkan Insight, 18.02.17: Albanian Opposition Erect Tent to Press Election Demands http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albanian-opposition-asks-for-technical-government-02-20-2017

EurActiv, 05.04.17: Albanian opposition threatens to boycott elections http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/albanian-opposition-threatens-to-boycott-elections/

EU: EEAS: Statements, 12.04.17: Statement by Federica Mogherini and Johannes Hahn on the latest developments in Albania https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/24651/

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